The Free-Mason’s Mystical Journey

The Free-Mason’s

Mystical Journey

Andre Salmon, PM

Genuine initiation is the development of major human qualities and faculties at higher levels which are not generally innate and have to be acquired through Man’s own creative efforts.

instance. This also explains how, in our present times, masses of human beings are manipulated through external stimuli and exert themselves to satisfy their physical instincts or artificially induced needs. In the opposite case, control comes from the highest HUMAN NATURE: Most esoteric systems scribe body which has conquered external influences as well humanity as including four bodies corresponding to as the impulses of the lower bodies. It becomes all increasingly subtle states of consciousness, namely: the more individual and autonomous from mundane (1) the mineral, physical body; (2) the vegetative domination as its degree of refinement and subtlety is “astral” body, similar to the life force animating plants; higher. Such is the case of spiritual masters. (3) the animal, instinctive body, with its reactions of These masters teach and demonstrate that human attraction, repulsion, or indifference to external potentialities are immense and can be realized causes; and (4) the divine or “causal” body, with its through appropriate methods, perseverance and proreflexive moral consciousness. gressive practice, like gymnastics. Oriental In the Orient, the essentially inanimate mineral body philosophers, in general, teach to work more on oneis represented as the cart; the self than on the external world, animating vegetative body, with its rudimentary feeling, is the “Initiation leads indeed to in order to attain a higher level of reality. Such Indian thinkers horse; the animal body, with its simple thinking process, is the wisdom which invites us to as Rabindranath Tagore or Sri Aurobindo focus on Man’s mascoachman; and the divine body, with its individuality, consciousrealize the essential tery over himself, to control his physical and mental life and live ness and willpower, is the in spiritual bliss, compared to Master. In the West, human evanescent nature of all which mastery over things is nature is nowadays most often what a soap bubble is to a rock. described as the means with things and the general This is similar to the Greek which Nature has endowed Man philosopher Plato’s concept so that he may dominate and exploit the external world, most equilibrium in the universe.” which taught that actual, durable reality is that of the often, regrettably, in a selfish Mind, whereas matter is essenand greedy manner. Present-day materialism genertially perishable, impermanent, and the world of ally tends to give prominence to the physical and forms, including human life, is a constantly evanesvegetative bodies and consider the animal body as cent illusion, like the rainbow. an additional asset for those who want to do and earn INITIATION: Initiation to higher levels of consciousmore. As for the divine body, it is generally considness for a number of spiritually powerful individuals, ered as a luxury for marginal dreamers! as one would expect to find in Masonic lodges, is a The three lower bodies, however, do not actually way to polarize the highest potentialities of the human belong to the individual; they are governed by exterspecies. Initiation leads indeed to wisdom which nal laws of physics and chemistry that rule the whole invites us to realize the essential evanescent nature of universe. When the lower bodies are in command, all things and the general equilibrium in the universe. they rule the highest body, often to the point of exterThis balance of the whole is a dynamic process minating it. Such is the case of drug addicts, for resulting from the constant interaction of its different

parts. As Hermes Trismegistus asserts in the “Emershackles of life and death. To reach the highest floor ald Table”, equilibrium is always ultimately reached of the house has been the purpose of initiation across between conflicting complementary opposites, like cultures and throughout ages. It is regrettable that the Oriental Yin and Yang, just as the swinging penmasses of men have set aside this essential tradition dulum eventually becomes the perpendicular. By the under the impact of modern materialism and social same token, this constant dance of the universe genpreoccupations. Is not the search for the Lost Word erates motion, life and consciousness. This applies precisely the art of training the human mind so that it to the physical, visible world and the spiritual, invisimay realize its highest spiritual potential? ble world as well. There could be no motion in the THE ASCENT IN FREEMASONRY: To climb this mental world if there were no alternating force path requires the ceaseless struggle of Man’s between analogous opposites. What we call Evil may willpower to master his physical impulses, his emowell be as necessary for the realization of Good as tions and affectivity. It also requires the constant Death is necessary for Life. Such is the dialectics of efforts of his intellectual and spiritual faculties to motion, which is progress toward indispensable for divine Truth. life, and balance, However, the which is necesdegree of mystisary for the cal achievement perennity of the and renunciation universe. to the world’s Whatever the cultures and civilizations, whatever the times, all religions and trappings that this path implies should not make it incompatible with a normal existence in sociphilosophies ety. The ideal is acknowledge indeed to similar fundaimprove major mental truths. To human faculties be initiated is to become intiTHE CANDIDATE IN THE “CHAMBER OF REFLECTION” simultaneously in a balanced manmately aware of these universal and eternal truths ner so that they can be applied to the world in which which enable Man to understand the world and the we live. This, together with the knowledge offered by meaning of his own life. modern general education, contributes to shaping The four bodies, or levels of consciousness, in Man powerful and complete personalities for their own benhave also been compared to a house with four rooms efit and that of society. Such enlightened equilibrium built on top of one another. The masses of ordinary in the development of intellect, affectivity, willpower men live in the lowest, smallest and most miserable and spirituality is precisely the ultimate objective, the room on the ground floor without knowing that the “Royal Secret” of Freemasonry’s rituals, symbols and other rooms are more comfortable and full of treasesoteric philosophy. ures. However, if Man is taught what the other rooms The three “Blue Degrees” form a complete cycle are like, gets their keys and is properly induced to focusing on understanding the essential reality of climb the stairs, he will gradually discover greater human nature and the universe, as well as their intrinand greater comfort and beauty until he reaches the sic inter-relationships; mastering human passions top floor and thus becomes the real owner of his and strengthening virtues, with a view to improving whole house. oneself and society; and realizing the meaning of This mystical ascent is the only way for Man to make human existence in life and death. However, the his life really personal and valuable and get rid of the Master Mason’s Degree, per se, only confers a virtual mastery. It is like roughing-up the ashlar as a prepa

ration for a life-long initiatory work which will broaden and refine human thought with the ultimate objective to attain enlightenment or mystical ecstasy, the realization of unity with the infinite and eternal divine source, the perfect ashlar. THE REQUIRED DISCIPLINE: The first indispensable step to acquire such wisdom demands self-knowledge and mastery over one’s physical and mental passions. Such is the initial teaching in “Blue Lodges”. Physical discipline should not indeed be underestimated. When it is practiced reasonably, it is indispensable to proper initiation. Experimental psychology indeed teaches that physical attitudes determine corresponding mental attitudes. Initiatory schools have always used physical positions to trigger states of mind. Kneeling in a church, joining hands, bowing one’s head, being barefoot are instrumental in triggering composure and humility. To stand to order in the lodge helps master the body, clarify one’s thinking process and express oneself more concisely, with greater logic. Such is the virtue of rituals. Such discipline, willfully accepted by Masons, avoids disorderly physical and mental behavior. It makes one conscious of one’s deficiencies that have to be corrected to make a better Man. It also helps fight the natural tendency for the mind to slumber. For instance, in the first degree of the Scottish Rite, the Candidate’s stay in the “Chamber of Reflection”, prior to initiation, increases wisdom, in the sense that all appearances and illusions, rendered useless by physical isolation, are discarded. This facilitates a higher degree of introspection and self-knowledge. Such discipline helps dig into one’s innermost being and find one’s higher self, one’s spiritual power able to convert the profane man into a higher being, free from the trivialities of social life and better mastering his own destiny. MASONIC SACRED ESOTERISM: Lodge teachings and ritualistic discipline intend to transform profane thoughts, feelings and action into a sacred act which refines spirituality and raises consciousness by connecting it with a higher reality. This converts the profane Man, often mechanically manipulated by unperceived external forces, into an Initiate mastering his physical and mental comportment in a rationally predetermined environment conducive to self-realization. This could not be done without a spiritual doctrine about the universe and life which establishes universal evolution as an ascending movement through the Spirit. Masonry symbolizes this process in the form of Solomon’s Temple as a work of wisdom, force and beauty. This is not the fruit of imaginative fantasy, but closely follows the immutable laws of Nature and their all-pervading Creative Principle esoterically called the Great Architect of the Universe.

This esoterism allows Masons to adapt and interpret Masonic symbols according to their culture, education and creativity. This makes Masonry far richer and more fecund than any other spiritual approach. It makes life in the world a path toward Man’s Higher Self, Man’s Soul, which is of identical nature with the Supreme Principle of the Universe. This makes Man the continuator of Creation.

CONCLUSION: To ignore the necessary efforts to undertake such an ascent is like tendering one’s resignation as a Mason. In this undertaking, the Mason should remain humble. This will be easier if the Mason starts with analyzing his spontaneous reactions and concepts, and sounding the obscure regions of his being where his unconscious, mechanical actions originate. The consciousness of his weaknesses will make his mind more benevolent, and liberate it from prejudice and intolerance. He will be in a better position to accept the difference and even opposition of others without submitting his integrity to their imperatives and taboos. This life-long process requires much attention and perseverance, but it will result in establishing our will as the sovereign master of our life, which is one of the ultimate goals of initiation. Only those will succeed who have sufficient faith in Masonic values, active men whose will power, intelligence and love are directed toward constantly improving all manifestations of life in the universe. This is the best definition of the Royal Art. It requires time and makes the undertaking particularly difficult in our days when Man tries to conquer time. Time does not respect what is done without it. Only patient and insatiable men can succeed, since Time, the ultimate winner, is on their side. Therefore, Brethren, let us not be in a hurry since our Masonic mystical journey will never end. ■